01 May,2026 08:45 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-day
Pic/Ashish Raje
Peltophorum pterocarpum, also known as Copper Pod blooms outside BMC headquarters
Visitors at the gallery. Pic courtesy/Akshay Mehta
Whoever said art galleries need to be places of quiet reflection? The artsy space of Method Kala Ghoda is beginning to attract a sound crowd. And we mean it quite literally. On Record Store Day (April 18), the gallery opened its doors to a record store hosted by Friction.
People browse through the gallery for vinyl records
"It is a small cosy space that hosts vinyl records, a player, and headphones. Most vinyl spaces in the city are either for sale or display. We wanted to create one where people could pop in and listen," shared Abhimanyu Meer, founder-curator, Friction Bombay, a counter institution platform.
Abhimanyu Meer
While purists might raise eyebrows, Meer added, "Vinyl has always been a counter institution movement. We liked the idea of being at Method for the kind of art and artists they platform." Here's to jazzing up the art scene.
The delivery place remains open for takeaways
Thane's iconic Mamledar Misal's eatery was demolished due to redevelopment, and it will be a while until Thanekars can visit their go-to misal place. Mamledar's kitchen, however, is still up and running as it shares space with a neighbouring restaurant.
The classic Misal Pav and Vada Pav. Pics courtesy/Maamledar Misal
Rajesh Varande, who handles the parcel service, told this diarist, "The eatery was taken down almost a week ago, and it will take at least two years for it to resume full service." Although the spot remains abandoned for now, Thanekars are yet to give up on it as regulars continue to drop by and take a piece of Mamledar home.
A view of Kavan Shah's residence. Pic courtesy/Kavan shah
Architect and founder of KSDS Studio, Kavan Shah, took his obsession with art seriously. He describes art as a constant presence in both his personal and professional life. Inspired by it, he is set to launch an art club at his residence in Lokhandwala, Oshiwara, titled May or May Not Be Art soon.
Kavan Shah
"Ever since I was a child, I have been obsessed with art and luckily my family has a number of artists and art collectors which only fuelled my passion," Shah told this diarist. Surrounded by creative influences early on, Shah went on to major in Art History from the University of Michigan. His residence, we learnt offers a glimpse into famous works by artists including Ram Dongre, Rinku Choudhary, Sanal PT, Pallavi Singh, and Pavan Kavitkar, along with limited, signed serigraphs by Amit Ambalal. This collection includes 18th century Phad paintings, Nathdwara Pichwai artworks, and a late 19th century lace Pichwai.
A 1970s Coca-Cola advertisement (right) A vintage poster of Asha Parekh for a Lux advertisement from the 1960s. Pics courtesy/Jigar Desai
Mumbai-based businessman Jigar Desai has an old-school parallel passion: preserving the past. He has been collecting vintage posters and print advertisements, building a meticulously organised file of more than 100 pieces sourced from old magazines and newspapers.
"I've been at this for over a decade now. Even when I'm not actively collecting, I'm always on the lookout for fresh pieces and that takes most of my time and patience," Desai told this diarist. His archival collection will transport you to another era, featuring classic Coca-Cola campaigns, the much-loved Gold Spot advertisement, and vintage Lux promotions starring Asha Parekh and Sadhana from the 1970s and 1980s.
